Full disclosure: this business is run by a friend. Nonetheless, I pride myself on objectivity and Will strive to have some in this review.
With that out of the way, I introduce to you, Yelp Drewniverse, Clean Juice South End.
I have to first commend them on the location. Nestled in a cozy little store front across the street from the South End light rail stop, one block over from Charlotte institution, Price's Chicken Coop, walking distance from any number of complexes full of health-minded yuppies, CJSE promises to be a mainstay for the joggers, power walkers, and post-work gym goers the South End attracts in droves.
The new location in South End is already catching on. Out front were a group of young fun looking healthy people playing a young fun looking healthy game of cornhole (with CJ branded bean bags and cornhole... boards? I'm not sure what you call the things with the hole). I entered to a pleasantly sparse crowd for a Sunday (I went after the morning and brunch rush), the crowd didn't accumulate until after I placed my order.
The decor is simple and modern. I like the interplay between the franchise's silver gray industrial color scheme, and farm to table fare. In this way, Clean Juice feels like a completely different experience from the more brightly colored Jamba or Smoothie Kings of the market. J and SK are fun respites from the usual fast casual experience. CJ, on the other hand is serious business. This ain't just juice, this is the fuel for your healthy lifestyle. This is your new morning habit. This is your coffee now.
You're a Clean Juice organic ninja. Wheatgrass isn't a new menu gimmick like at Jamba. Wheatgrass is a way of life at CJ. Compete with literature on why it should be a way off life for you, too.
I'm nothing if not appreciative of small things, and CJSE has one big small thing really going for it. This isn't one of those trendy chains that some rich guy bought to increase his yearly take home, while he swings a golf club at the country club near his vacation home in Hilton Head (wow, that got specific). The owner here is one of us. You'll find him behind the counter mixing up smoothies and churning out juices right beside the staff. Support those kind of owners.
Fair warning - objectivity, remember? - with a buzz and newness come some negatives. For one, expect to wait. This is going to be a popular location just based on geography, and until They clone that guy with the pizza boxing world record, humans can only move so fast. I had to sit for a few minutes while the staff filled orders ahead of me. I give it a pass on this for 2 reasons:
1. It's a new franchise with a new franchisee, new employees, a new attitude, new shoes on, new kids on the block, New wave music, Brand Nubian, etc. Its still going through sombre growing pains; and
2. The juice.
I got the detox, which is a delightful beet, spoke, celery, cucumber, ginger concoction. I was certainly hoping for the best, and planned on giving CJSE every benefit of the doubt. I was pleasant turn of events that I wouldn't have to. The sweetness of the apple and beet make that one particularly good. They also have a refrigerated display with pre-made juices from their Concord based (they're super local, guys. You should really Suport this company) bottler. I gotta the hardcore green juice. I haven't tried it yet, but I have high hopes.
One other thing to remember is that this ain't Welch's. If you've never been to a juice bar, lemme tell ya: everything is fresh, and it's not unusual to pay $5 or more per cup. Don't be surprised that CJSE follows suit. Remember, CJSE is a lifestyle. CJSE lives inside you. You will respect CJSE. CJSE is your friend. BE AN ORGANIC NINJA! SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS! GO TO CJ!
I can't give it 5 stars, because from me being friends with the owner, it won't mean much, but I can't find a flaw in their system. Once they get in the flow a month or so from now, Clean Juice should be a regular stop for me. read more